Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2004, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Sherri Ackerman, of the Tribune Note: Limit LTEs to 150 words Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) WAR HEADS OVER THE COUNTER TAMPA - A high school teacher worried Wednesday, when her student's speech slurred and his eyes twitched involuntarily. The 14-year-old freshman had taken 24 tablets of the cough and cold remedy Coricidin HBP. Two weeks ago, another 14-year-old was caught driving under the influence. Turns out she took the same medication, nicknamed Triple C or Skittling. ``It's becoming more and more common in high school,'' Hillsborough County sheriff's Deputy Stuart O'Shannon said. The war against drugs has moved from the streets to the drugstore, and parents better take heed, experts warn. ``Know what your kids are doing,'' sheriff's Deputy Lloyd Hyder told a community group Wednesday, during an educational forum on club and prescription drugs. The drug contains dextromethorphan, or DXM, a synthetic nonnarcotic that, taken improperly, can create a heightened sense of awareness, altered time perception and hallucinations. It also can cause seizures, cerebral hemorrhages, strokes, permanent brain damage and death. DXM in the powder form can be bought over the Internet, where there also are instructions on how much is needed for desired effects. Joanne Knecht didn't attend the meeting, but the mother of five children from preschool to high school age saw a television show about the abuse of Coricidin and other cold medicines. ``My kids haven't said anything about this, but I know I want to talk with them about it,'' the Riverview physical therapist said. The Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance hosted the event at the Tampa Marriott Waterside. The Mendez Foundation, which offers drug education in Hillsborough County schools, and Purdue Pharma, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures OxyContin among other prescription drugs, were sponsors. Other popular drugs for students include methamphetamine, a powderlike substance concocted from household chemicals and cold tablets. Polk County is known as the meth capital of the Southeast, said Paul Doering, a pharmacology professor at the University of Florida. School officials, even parents, have been caught stealing Ritalin from children, he said. The drug is typically prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders, but it can cause the same effects as cocaine. He has even heard of middle school students snorting aspirin and birth control pills. ``We've got to wake up,'' Doering said. ``Just because it's pharmaceutical, just because it's over the counter doesn't mean it's safe. Doering outlined abuse of Xanax, an antidepressant, and designer drugs, such as Ecstasy, an illegal variation of mescaline and amphetamine. Both drugs have been found on the University of South Florida campus, USF police Officer Jeff Humphrey said. ``It adds a whole other level to it,'' Humphrey said of enforcement. ``You don't know what they are on.'' For information, call the Hillsborough County Anti- Drug Alliance at (813) 276-2945. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin